PROVIDENCE, RI – Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) received a score of 90 out of 100 on the 2014 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices relating to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. BCBSRI’s score reflects a commitment to LGBT workplace equality with respect to tangible policies, benefits, and practices.

BCBSRI was recognized for its workplace practices including a non-discrimination policy, providing protections to LGBT employees, and offering employee health benefits to spouses and domestic partners. Active in the community, BCBSRI also provides philanthropic support to local LGBT nonprofit organizations.

“Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island values all of our employees and believes in principles of fairness and dignity,” said Visael “Bobby” Rodriguez, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for BCBSRI. “Our inclusive policies and practices enable us to support our LGBT employees and demonstrate that we value them, as we do all of our employees. When our employees feel valued, we are then able to best serve our members and community.”

The 2014 CEI rated a total of 934 businesses in the report, which evaluates LGBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBT community.

For more information on the 2014 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

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The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is the state’s leading health insurer and covers more than 600,000 members. The company is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit BCBSRI.com and follow us on Twitter @BCBSRI.